After the Fact

Darla Records is proud to offer the first digital and CD reissueof M.I.A.’s fourth and final record After the Fact, originally released on Flipside Records in early 1987. Included is the alternate vocal recording of California Dreamin’ from Flipside Tunes Vinyl Fanzine Number Three.

“After the Fact is one of the best US punk records of the late 1980s, mostly because it mixes many post-punk influences and innovates where other punks cling to tradition. The two guitars rarely play similar parts, there are dynamics and mood settings, contemplative sound (“Whisper in the Wind”) and even a Killing Joke inspired tribal backbeat (“When It’s Over”). The production on After the Fact is far superior to M.I.A.’s past efforts, with real bottom, kick, drive and guts. Just check out the cover of “California Dreaming” or the effortless “Edge of Forever” for proof that punk can be a fresh aural pleasure, even at this late date. M.I.A. ultimately paid the same price that the original TSOL and Effigies did when they went against the grain and tried to take punk to its next step: the group split up in early 1988.” – Jack Rabid, Trouser Press

After the Fact is a favorite of some of us second wave punk and post punk aficionados. In 1987 M.I.A. were as always true blue to punk’s core socio-political principles and still leaning proto-Green Day pop punk but they had also evolved and adopted both a bit of Factory-esque aesthetic and some solid American underground college rock chops. I imagine they could just as easily have joined the Epitaph Records roster and found mainstream US mega-success with the third wave reinforcement of hardcore punk/rock, however, it was not to be.

M.I.A.’s Frank Daly and Mark Arnold would go on to find some success in Big Drill Car.

“One of the 50 best So-Cal punk bands of the great early-’80s second wave explosion.” – All Music Guide

Track List:

1. Edge of Forever
2. What I See
3. Whisper in the Wind
4. Beautiful World (But Not For Me)
5. California Dreamin’
6. When It’s Over
7. Time to Change
8. It Follows Me
9. Whatever Happened
10. It’s Hard to Say You’re Wrong
11. Broken
12. Out of Control
13. California Dreamin’ (Flipside Tunes Vinyl Fanzine Number Three Version)